American Airlines plane makes emergency landing on Colombian island

BOGOTA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- An airplane belonging to U.S. carrier American Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday at the airport of Colombia's San Andres Island after reporting smoke in the cockpit.

American Airlines said in a statement issued in Colombia that all 172 passengers aboard the Boeing 757 are safe and in good condition.

The plane was flying from San Jose, Costa Rica to Miami, Florida. "The plane was rerouted to San Andres, Colombia, due to a mechanical problem," the company said.

"The Boeing 757 airplane with 172 passengers and six crew members landed without incident at San Andres at 9:45 a.m. local time (1445 GMT). The passengers have disembarked and the maintenance staff is inspecting the plane," said the statement.

Frank Gonzalez, director of the San Andres Civil Defense Office, said the passengers encountered no problems during the landing, despite the rain.

Local authorities said the plane made the emergency landing after reporting smoke in the cockpit.